Even if you have been in a car accident before, you may be unsure of what to do if it happens again. You may have a variety of questions, including questions about dealing with the insurance company, partial fault for the crash and hiring a lawyer.
If you need answers to your car crash questions, you can contact a trusted attorney from Anderson & Cummings. Our dedicated team of legal professionals has a proven track record of securing verdicts and settlements, including over $5 million for a car accident victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Below, review some of the most common questions asked by car crash victims and some helpful advice on what you should ask your lawyer as you consider legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions from Car Crash Victims
Although there are countless questions potential clients ask, these are some of the more common:
What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Crash?
We always recommend accident victims seek immediate medical attention, especially if they are seriously injured. Call 9-1-1 to report the accident to the police. Take pictures of the accident scene and any injuries you may have sustained. Record contact information for any witnesses, including names, phone numbers and addresses. Be careful when speaking to insurance adjusters about the incident – your lawyer can manage communication with the insurance company.
How Much Compensation Should I Expect to Receive?
The value of your claim depends on several factors, such as who was at fault for the collision, the severity of your injuries, whether your injuries forced you to miss work, the insurance policies involved and whether you suffered from psychological and/or emotional damages.
How Much Time Do I Have to File my Claim?
Under Texas law, most car crash claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. However, certain details about your situation may push the deadline forward or extend it. That is why it is important to talk to an experienced lawyer about when your claim may be due.
What if I am Partially at Fault for the Crash?
Sometimes accident victims think they contributed to the collision and feel the need to apologize to the other driver. However, this could be viewed as an admission of guilt by the insurance company and could be used against you later.
You may be partially to blame, but you should discuss this with your attorney, not the insurance company. Your conversations with your attorney about your claim are confidential, as they are protected by attorney-client privilege.
If our attorneys find you are partially at fault, you may still be eligible to receive compensation. Under Texas’ comparative negligence law, you may still qualify for compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible for causing the collision. However, your compensation award will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
What Should I Say to Insurers if They Call?
Insurance companies train their adjusters to find ways to discredit you and trick you into saying things they can use to lower the value of your claim. Insurance companies would be out of business if they kept making big payouts to crash victims.
If you receive a call from an insurance adjuster, you should only provide basic information about the crash, such as when and where it occurred. If you say too much, you could inadvertently say something that hurts the value of your claim.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Lawyer?
The great thing about working with a car accident lawyer from our firm is that we work on a contingency fee basis – which means you pay us nothing unless we win compensation for you. You and your lawyer can meet in a no-cost initial consultation. There are no fees while we work on your case.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Qualified Attorney
Whether you or a loved one was injured in a car crash, it is important to discuss the case with an experienced attorney. You could be eligible for financial compensation to aid with your recovery.
The law offices of Anderson & Cummings has a five-star google rating – review testimonials from some of our satisfied clients. We are prepared to discuss your claim in a complimentary consultation and answer any questions you may have.
Anderson & Cummings. Trusted and experienced. Ph: (817) 920-9000